SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Osel, Inc., the Bacterio- Therapeutics company, today announced that Ralph Levy has joined Osel as President. Mr. Levy, a veteran of more than 30 years in biotechnology / pharmaceutical companies, has also announced the appointment of Winnie Wan to the Board of Directors, formation of a new Clinical Advisory Board, and that their first product candidate, LACTIN-V entered Phase I clinical trials in June.

Mr. Levy helped to build SangStat Medical Corporation from 4 employees to a public company with over 300 employees, selling last year for $620 million to Genzyme Corporation. Referring to Mr. Levy's extensive experience in clinical development, regulatory issues, manufacturing, facilities, and operations, Peter Lee, M.D., founder and Chairman of Osel Inc., said, "We are pleased and excited that Ralph has joined Osel; his experience, insight and dedication are the skills we need to take Osel to the next level."

In discussing recent developments, Mr. Levy said, "This month has been an exciting and seminal month for Osel: we began our Phase I clinical trial of LACTIN-V as a treatment for bacterial vaginosis, submitted a second IND for a recurring urinary tract infection indication, and filled in needed expertise on our various Boards. Osel is honored to have Dr. Wan and the vast industry experience she brings on our Board of Directors." Winnie H. Wan, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Aria Biosystems, who was previously President and CEO of GeneTrol Biotherapeutics.

In addition, Osel has appointed new Clinical Advisory Board members: Walter Stamm, MD, Professor, Medicine/Infectious Diseases, at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, who graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School, has over 30 years experience and will advise the company on recurrent urinary tract infection.

Sharon Hillier, Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women's Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, has a Ph.D. from Washington State University and brings 20 years experience to the subject of bacterial vaginitis. Both clinical researchers are highly honored and world recognized experts in their field.

About Osel

Osel, Inc. is the leading company in the emerging field of Bacterio-Therapeutics. The company's business is commercializing therapeutic products, through the exploitation of recent scientific discoveries demonstrating the central role of naturally occurring mucosal bacteria in the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. Osel's mission is to harness the protective properties of these specialized non-pathogenic bacteria as a basis for a series of innovative products initially targeted for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts.